Hi Kerri,
I hope that you are going well in reaching your goal. Learning to live with fear of a second stroke can be difficult.
But, you are not alone in how you are feeling. See comments from the community:
Debra Culver
I still have some fear but it is better. Every month on the 12th I get nervous. Mine was 620 am on Friday just before my husband went out the door for work. I am in my 8th month. Each day is a gift.
Jessica Capelli
Time really is the healer, it felt so overwhelming in the beginning but it does ease off. I keep telling myself how lucky I am to survive and that I’m on blood thinners that could possibly prevent another stroke. Also please if you can afford it get some counselling, I can’t stress this enough. Take care and please be assured that time is the healer xx
Cate English
I live alone so I ensure I have my phone fully charged at all times & with me. I also downloaded the emergency plus app in case I have another stroke & can’t speak. At least the emergency services will have my GPS location & hopefully send an ambo or the police. It does get easier, just do your best & stay as positive as you can Kerri.
Lynne Hawkey
I had two at the age of 42, didn’t hit me until 18 months later. It made me stronger than I could ever have imagined! Just relax and take one day at a time and you’ll get there. Stop worrying about what might happen
Kristy Harrison
I had the exact same thoughts after my stroke…..took me weeks to feel comfortable and get a proper nights sleep.
Give yourself time to heal, the fear will and does ease
Tanya Younger
Kerri, I didn’t think too much about it for the couple of months I was in hospital, but was crippled by the fear of it when I was home again…especially when my husband was working away. I just assumed I would have another and that would be it. I’m not a pessimist, I just thought that’s how it would go. At about eight years post stroke I remember telling my husband how happy I was that we had spent eight years living and loving and travelling, and that it was okay if I did have another stroke because we had had so many wonderful years that were an unexpected bonus.
Now I’m over 12 years post stroke and worry about our savings being enough to see out our long, healthy lives! There are ‘stroke things’ like balance and fatigue that linger, but there is no fear.
Good luck and good life to you. Cheers.
Mariana Gourtzis
I had a stroke in 2013 that left me with nerve damage in my left arm and leg. I have an underlying fear that still flares up from time to time. The best piece of advice i can give is to trust your body and trust that you are looking after yourself well enough whether through medication, meditation or exercise thst you are ok. The mind is a powerful thing you just gotta be strong enough and work through the fears you have xx
CobienRay Thomo
I recently suffered a stroke while I was at work, I am 4 months post stroke and regaining my confidence while living life again. I was once scared like you, but being with my family and friends has helped me in becoming a stronger person in life to wake up every morning and thank life.
My kids, Family and friends aspire me every day to do better and making goals. Keep on your meds, enjoy family time and regular catch up with friends.
Rachael Louise Davis
Anxiety and fear is so common but just know that your doctors and I’m sure you Kerri, are doing everything possible to not let that happen again! Keep on your meds - blood thinners significantly reduce the chances of another stroke and that’s what I took great comfort in. Those tiny tablets are saving me!
Veraina Ryan
This is very understandable. I literally woke up having my stroke. I was so scared about having another particularly that first year but decided to focus on what I could control to help prevent another one - good diet, well managed blood pressure, participated actively in rehab, nurturing activities like meditation & speaking with a Psychologist/counsellor to help understand & better manage my anxiety.
Wish you all the best.
Carmel Hutchinson
I had a stroke in 2020 and lost my words. Thought it was stress and didn’t find out it was a stroke until about 5 weeks later.
Turns out I had had one prior, possibly years before.
My doctor recommended I see a cardiologist. Best thing ever! Turns out I had a hole in my heart which probably caused the strokes.
Had it fixed and haven’t worried since.
I still check my blood pressure regularly though.
Karen Michelle
Kerri, I worried about this for a long time too. Like you my fear was when I was going to sleep as this was when my stroke occurred.
Second strokes can and do happen. The fear is real.
But if you think about it logically, whatever caused your stroke has now been treated. You're probably taking blood pressure and/or cholesterol meds. Or if a heart issue caused your stroke, that may have been treated too. So you're probably less likely to have a stroke now than you were before.
Logic didn't help me with my irrational fear, but things have gotten much better over time.